Responding to what they call "favorable comments" by local merchants regarding the appearance of the sidewalk areas in the downtown district, the Village of Roslyn has decided to continue its dumpster service for an undetermined period of time.

Village officials acknowledged that they have also received comments from some merchants who are "displeased with the inconveniences" caused by the project. Despite that, the village in "balancing the different viewpoints" decided to continue the program.

The dumpster has been temporarily located in the Old Northern Boulevard parking field. Village officials said that other locations are under consideration along with additional receptacles.

The program includes the businesses and residences on both sides of Old Northern Boulevard at East Broadway and continuing through Main Street that use service provided by the village.

During the extended time period, the village will examine potential changes to the collection of garbage and in certain cases, village officials will test to evaluate whether the changes can help make the program more efficient and convenient for local businesses.

For now, curbside pickups remain prohibited. At the closing of business hours, businesses and residences are required to take their allocated volume of bagged garbage to the village dumpster. All boxes must be flattened to reduce the impact on the volume of the dumspter. The garbage must be placed inside the dumpster.

Since last fall, both merchants and residents have complained about garbage pileups in the heart of the business district. In addition to the eyesore, the problem was costing the village undue cleanup funds.

Both the village and the Chamber of Commerce have tried to work together for a solution. All sides, including Residential Carting Inc., the sanitation company retained by the village, agreed on placing a dumpster in the village for a one-month, free-of-charge trial run. Board of Trustee members and Residential officials briefly considered buying a garbage compactor. But the cost of such a product, which was estimated to be in the range of $2,500 to $2,700, proved too great for the village.

The 19th annual Antique Street Fair will be held Sunday, May 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Old Northern Boulevard. More than 125 exhibitors will be on display, showcasing furniture, Americana, paintings, pottery, linens, compacts, toys, jewelry, books, decorative arts, depression and art glass, Victoriana, silver and more.

According to Elias Pekale, whose company is managing the fair, the assembled dealers will be offering variety without sacrificing value for both the novice and the serious collector.

"The spirit of a huge, out-of-doors show is something that urban suburbanites rarely get to do," Mr. Pekale said. "Long Island is a wonderful place to antique. I've concentrated on giving the Long Island customer exhibitors who maintain professional standards as well as having items that are truly special."

Some of the dealers exhibiting include Karen Reiter, Phillips & Phillips, Margo Schwamm, Jen Celentano, The Eriksens and Pat and Joe Tita.

In the past, local merchants have been, at best, lukewarm about the fair, complaining that the influx of gyspy merchants takes away from their own business, even hampering traffic as the dinner hour approaches. This year, Chamber of Commerce officials are hoping its members will keep their stores open on the day of the fair. The chamber is also hoping to have their own information booth on display.